MOSCOW, March 11 — Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended the dismantling of nuclear warheads called for under the START II treaty with the United States on President Bush’s inauguration day, NBC News has learned. And Russian officials insist that Moscow will end cooperation on nuclear disarmament if Washington presses forward with plans to build a national missile defense system.
“IF THE NMD (national missile defense) is deployed in the United States, we will have to forget about reductions of strategic offensive weapons,” said Yuri Kapralov, director of Russian Security and Disarmament.
Russia also has rolled out its counter-threat, the Topol-M missile. Although it is ostensibly a single-warhead intercontinental ballistic missile, experts believe it could be converted to carry several warheads, which would violate the Start II agreement.
Under the arms-reduction pact, which the United States and Russia signed in 1993, both countries committed to eliminating missiles with more than one warhead.
“The Topol-M already has the capability to overcome any anti-missile defense,” said Gen. Vladimir Yakovlev, commander of Russia’s rocket forces. He added that the next move was up to the United States.
Want to learn more? http://www.msnbc.com/news/542671.asp
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“IF THE NMD (national missile defense) is deployed in the United States, we will have to forget about reductions of strategic offensive weapons,” said Yuri Kapralov, director of Russian Security and Disarmament.
Russia also has rolled out its counter-threat, the Topol-M missile. Although it is ostensibly a single-warhead intercontinental ballistic missile, experts believe it could be converted to carry several warheads, which would violate the Start II agreement.
Under the arms-reduction pact, which the United States and Russia signed in 1993, both countries committed to eliminating missiles with more than one warhead.
“The Topol-M already has the capability to overcome any anti-missile defense,” said Gen. Vladimir Yakovlev, commander of Russia’s rocket forces. He added that the next move was up to the United States.
Want to learn more? http://www.msnbc.com/news/542671.asp
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"I'd like an order of fries, a quarter pounder with cheese, I love the light in your eyes, would you go out with me please? I am in love with a McDonald's Girl, she has a smile of innocence so tender and warm, she is an angel in a polyester uniform."